Athens Stock Exchange: General Index Reaches 1,703.19 Units – German Stocks Rise Before Debt Reform Vote

Stock prices are rising at the start of today’s session (March 18, 2025) on the Athens Stock Exchange, with the market breaking above the 1,700-unit level amid upward trends in European markets ahead of the Bundestag vote on debt reforms. Specifically, the General Index of the Athens Stock Exchange stands at 1,703.19 units, marking an increase of 0.42%, while trading value rises to €40.75 million. The high-capitalization index is up by 0.47%, and the medium-capitalization index strengthens by 0.45%. Among high-capitalization shares, the largest gains are recorded by Optima (+2.26%), Alpha Bank (+2.15%), Piraeus Bank (+1.97%), and Eurobank (+0.76%). Conversely, the sharpest declines are seen in Sarantis (-3.20%), Aegean Airlines (-0.84%), and Jumbo (-0.59%). Overall, 53 stocks are rising, 24 are falling, and 16 remain stable. The biggest gainers include Minerva (+6.93%) and Space Hellas (+6.71%), while the steepest drops are recorded by Alpha Urban Real Estate (-3.84%) and Myloi Sarantopoulos (-3.26%). In European markets, German stocks led the rally at the start of trading sessions across Europe, ahead of parliamentary voting in Germany on historic debt reforms. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.3% at 10:10 am Greek time, while Germany’s blue-chip index strengthened by 0.7%. The German Bundestag is expected to vote today on creating a €500 billion infrastructure fund and relaxing constitutionally enshrined debt rules, allowing for increased security spending.